While we were going around, Illya suddenly popped out and approached us! She seemed to be going with her father and bully sisters, and didn't feel that comfortable with them, so she excused herself to go search for us.

"U-Uhm... I-If it is not too much trouble... M-May I join you?"

Of course, you can~!

Ah~ My party is filling up with even more cute girls~ I feel so blessed~

Speaking of which, I also miss my little red-haired kitten...

Ah! I also need to go greet Lawliela-sama!!!

How could I forget!!! If I didn't even go and greet her on this occasion, the next magical training will be hell!!!

"Everyone, I'm very sorry, but can we go and search for Lawliela-sama? I have been in her care tremendously, and I hadn't had the chance to greet her yet."

"Of course, Risa-sama~ I would like to greet the great magus as well!"

"Well, I guess it can't be helped. Let's go. I'll help you search for it."

"Uhn. Valerie-chan will also be there. Let's go meet her."

"I-I will follow you, Alterisa-sama~"

Evelyn, Celine, Noir, and Illya agreed one after another. Ah~ What kind and considerate friends do I have~

"Thank you~ Then, I will try to find her."

I closed my eyes and sharpened my magic sense. Searching for Lawliela-sama would be very easy, given she has the greatest magical presence in the entire kingdom. And even though she's not constantly emanating her enormous magic, the quality of her magic and my familiarity with her still made it easy for me to search for her in this sea of people.

A few moments later, I found her location as well as Valerie's. I sensed her flaming magical presence right beside Lawliela-sama's magic.

Oh, and there's another one... This seems like... Wilhelm?

Did he come here as Lawliela-sama's student? Or maybe for some other reason?

Could it be... Because he wants to spend time with Valerie-chan?!

I-Is that really true?! When did it happen?! When did he start falling for Valerie-chan?! I've never heard about this!

Valerie-chan never said anything about him when we were talking! Let's go check it out!

I opened my eyes and smiled at my friends who were looking at me confusedly.

"I found her~ Let us go to where she is now~"

"Truly?! That's amazing... Did you just find her location through her magic alone, Alterisa-sama?"

"Uhn~ I did~ As expected of Evelyn~ You're so smart~"

"Ah, no. I simply have a basic understanding of magic given I have started my magical lessons. But to do such a thing so quickly and accurately... Alterisa-sama, you're very amazing."

"Eh? Is that really amazing, Eve?"

"It is. Alterisa-sama basically just spread her senses throughout this entire massive ballroom and picked out slight differences in everyone's presence..."

"T-That's amazing..."

"AAlterisa-sama, amazing...!"

"A-As expected of Alterisa-sama..."

"Ehehehe~ Thank you~ Now let's go~!"

Heading straight to Lawliela-sama's location, we quickly found her surrounded by a few guests.

Despite how beautifully everyone's dressed, Lawliela-sama still stands out as expected. A super sexy mature woman with crimson red hair and a bewitching figure...

Ah~ As expected of my role model~ I want to be like her when I grow up~

As soon as we arrived nearby, Lawliela-sama immediately turned towards us and smiled at our direction.

Hehe~ It seems like she sensed my presence amongst this many people. As expected.

We all approached her and curtsied to greet her.

"It is an honor to be in your presence this evening, teacher."

Following me, Evelyn and the rest also curtsied and greeted Lawliela-sama.

"Mm. It is nice to see all of you here this evening as well."

"Ah! It's Alterisa-chan~! And everyone too~!!!"

Ah~! There she is~! My little cutie kitten~! Ah, you're dressed so cutely today too with that crimson red dress~! It suits you so well~!

"Valerie-chan~ It's so nice to see you~ You look very pretty tonight too~"

"Hehehe~ Thank you so much~ You look very pretty too, Alterisa-chan~! Everyone looks very pretty~!"

As Valerie-chan began greeting Evelyn and the others as well, I couldn't help but notice the broccoli looking in my direction.

Perhaps noticing my gaze, he flinched a bit and avert his gaze awkwardly.

"Wilhelm. What are you doing? Is your mind only filled with magic that you forget basic noble etiquette?"

"A-Apologise, teacher."

Ahhh... That cold, scary voice... You're in such trouble now, Wilhelm... I rarely heard that voice from Lawliela-sama, but whenever I heard it, I can't help but feel chills going down my spine. While it might be very arousing for some people to hear such a cold, scary voice from a sexy mature woman directed at them, I'm not into that, so I'm just really scared.

Whenever I heard it, even if it's not directed at me, I'd immediately try to fix my posture and make sure everything I say and do are right.

"I-It is a pleasure to meet you once again in this fine evening, Lorya-sama. I have been in your care in the past. I wish to be your acquaintance."

"Likewise, Orythium-sama. Our magic duel last time was quite inspiring for myself as well. I wish to be your acquaintance as well."

I lifted the hem of my dress ever so slightly with my fingers and curtsied as I greeted him, and immediately, I saw his cheeks go so red.

Hm? Why is she blushing...? Ahhhh, it must be because I acted so differently than last time!

I mean, I treated him like a troublesome person last time because he was being a brat and suddenly challenging me to a duel. But now that I'm acting so politely, it must be shocking for him.

Yes, that's right~ The girl who defeated you, the magic prodigy, in a magic duel is also a true lady through and through~! Ohohohohoho~

Isn't this gap moe great~? I look like a graceful, soft, harmless lady on the outside. But if you annoy me, I can put you in your place in your own game~!

Ufufufu~ I'm so glad I learned magic seriously~

As I was smiling brightly while thinking this, Valerie-chan suddenly hugged my arm and rubbed her cheeks on my exposed shoulders.

"Mother~ May I join them and go around the venue~?"

She asked as her eyes sparkled in excitement.

AAAAAAHHH~~!!! HOW CUUUUUTE~ MY SHOULDER AND LEFT ARE ARE SO BLESSED RIGHT NOW~!!!!

"Mm. You may go."

"Yaaayy~! Thank you, mother~"

Wait, eh? If she's going with us, then is she going to leave Wilhelm alone?

"Valerie-chan, is that okay? I mean, what about Orythium-sama..."

"Hehehe~ It's fine~ He's just here to tag along because his father made a request for her to introduce him to her social circle amongst the royal court magicians. We're done now, so I'm free~"

"I see... But don't you want to play with him?"

"Eh~? What are you talking about, Risa-chan~? I want to play with you more~! I love playing with Risa-chan the most~!"

Ugh!!! T-That hit me straight in my heart! T-This cuteness... I-It's too much!!!!

"I see~ Hehehe~ I love playing with Valerie-chan too~ Let's go together with everyone~"

"Yes~!"

"Then, please excuse us, teacher, Orythium-sama."

"Mm. Take care."

"Y-Yes..."

Leaving with Valerie-chan now stuck to my left, we all went around and finally had a taste of the amazing confectionaries and desserts served in the grand ball.

Among them, there are a few that I recognize that seemed to be inspired by the ones I made. It looked pretty similar, but when I tried it, the taste was a bit different.

It tasted as if someone was eyeballing the measurements while watching me make it and then decided to be a bit adventurous, and added a few more ingredients.

Like this chocolate lava cake for example. It looks like a lava cake, but there's quite a bitterness to it that resembled coffee in the cake, making it really bitter, and the chocolate inside of it has this nutty, hazelnut taste.

It's really good, but it's very different from the ones I make. Well, I'm really interested to see just what changes they made to my recipes, so let's check it all~!!

"I finally found you..."

Just as i was about to dig into my third "small" plate of desserts, a familiar voice took my attention away from my delicious meal.

"Lu-nii? Ah, Varion-sama as well?"

Eh? Why is Keith here too? Oh wait, I guess he just tagged along with Lu-nii since they're good friends.

"It is nice to meet you this evening, Varion-sama. I hope you have been well since we last met."

"Y-Yes. I-It has been a while, L-Lorya-sama. It is a pleasure to meet you this evening."

I smiled politely at him, but I was also watching his every move.

Keith is known to be a playboy in "Lovely Happenings", and I won't let him make any moves on my precious friends!!! I won't let him hurt their precious hearts!

Fortunately, he doesn't seem to be doing anything now. He greeted Evelyn and the others normally too. Though for some reason, Evelyn and the girls are now getting closer to me.

"So? Is there a reason why you're searching for me, Lu-nii?"

"Ah. The royal family is about to make their entrance. Father is calling for us."

"Eeehhh... Is that so...?"

Hah... I hadn't even gotten to eat three plates, you know~? I was getting excited to share these desserts with my friends...

"I understand."

I turned towards Evelyn, Celine, Noir, Illya, and Valerie-chan.

"It seems like I must return now. I'm very sorry."

"Please don't apologize, Alterisa-sama. It is something that can't be helped after all. If Lucas-sama hadn't come and told you that the royal family is about to make their entrance, then perhaps someone else from our household would inform us to return to our families as well to greet them."

"That's right. You don't need to apologize."

"Y-Yes! I've had great fun with you, Alterisa-sama. And once we're done greeting the royal family, perhaps we can gather once again!"

"Yes. We can play again later, Alterisa-sama!"

Ah~ What understanding friends I have~ They're such good girls~

"Thank you, everyone. Then I shall excuse myself for now. Let us see each other again soon~"

Begrudgingly, I left my friends and approached Lu-nii.

"Keith, you go back to your family too."

"I-I get it. T-Then, I will excuse myself."

"Yes. It has been a pleasure, Varion-sama."

"U-Uhn... It was my pleasure as well."

After glancing at me a few times, Keith finally walked away quickly and disappeared into the crowd.

"Were you hanging out with him until now, Lu-nii?"

I asked as we began making our way back to mom and dad.

"Hm? No. We just met earlier and he decided to come to join when I told him I was looking for you."

"Oh, is that so? Seems like he's got quite the free time. He must be bored to hell huh? Though, wouldn't he normally be picking up girls? I mean, he is the playboy character in the game. I wonder what happen..."

"...No idea."

"I guess not... Oh well~"

I shrugged my shoulders and prepare my heart for what was coming. It's finally the time. The time for the announcement of my engagement with the Crown Prince.











AN: I hope you guys enjoy this chapter~! Please vote and comment your thoughts~!